Earn & Learn

To build Ohio’s manufacturing talent pipeline, COMP is a member of the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Partnership (OMWP), a statewide initiative to upskill 5,000 Ohioans through innovative work-and-learn (apprenticeship) strategies. The program is funded by a $12 million, four-year U.S. Department of Labor grant.

Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Partnership

 

Approach

Promote collaboration and resource sharing among manufacturers and their education and workforce partners through regional sector partnerships.

COMP is part of Ohio’s statewide network of regional sector partnerships that provide forums for manufacturers to identify shared workforce challenges that can more effectively be addressed collectively rather than as individual companies. Manufacturers work with area education and training providers to develop relevant training programs to maximize efficiency in developing talent in, initially, these in-demand skill areas:

  • Production
  • Machining
  • Welding
  • Industrial Maintenance
  • Automation and Robotics

Develop

New programs will adopt the best elements of traditional apprenticeship programs while giving manufacturers the flexibility to focus on skills and outcomes most important to their success. Businesses can decide what works best for them while providing work-and-learn programs that include:

  • Paid, work-based learning delivered by the employer
  • Structured, on-the-job training and mentorship
  • Technical instruction relevant to approved apprenticeship pathways
  • Completion of a nationally portable, industry-recognized credential
  • Standards for safety, supervision and equal opportunity

Ensure career readiness by connecting training to specific industry-recognized credentials.

Work-and-learn programs give employees specific skills they need to be effective in today’s modern manufacturing. An industry-recognized credential is a third-party verification of an individual’s competence and can take many forms, including certifications, certificates, licenses and degrees.

Credentials also align to well-defined career pathways for employees. This is especially attractive to workers who desire a long-term development strategy, especially young people. This can be key to long-term retention.

Work-and-learn strategies will be a central focus as we address the workforce challenge in Central Ohio. For more information, contact COMP at info@manufacturingpartnership.org